icient to guard the prisoners, whose desperate character he knew
full well, while he had the additional duty of conducting the
packhorses.

The smugglers at first appeared to submit quietly enough, but that was
no proof that they would continue to do so, should they find an
opportunity of escaping.

As there were not more than three lanterns among the whole party, it was
difficult to ascertain whether the prisoners were properly secured. At
any moment, they might break loose and effect their escape. They had,
indeed, every motive for doing so. They had not only been captured
smuggling, but had weapons in their hands, opposing the king's
authority, and one and all of them might be tried for the death of the
two revenue men who had fallen. All who had been taken were now brought
together and placed under the cliffs, watched by a strong guard, while
the bales and kegs, which lay scattered about in all directions, were
collected and packed on the horses.

The order to march was given. The pack animals went first, followed by
the captured smugglers, who uttered curses, deep if not loud, on their
hard fate. Then came the men told off to carry the wounded who were too
much hurt to walk. Lord Reginald and Voules brought up the rear. The
killed were left above high water mark on the beach, until a party could
be sent to carry them to Barton churchyard, where the revenue man and
smuggler were destined to lie side by side.

The party at length reached the top of the cliff, and directed their
course towards the high road running between Christchurch and Lymington.
They had proceeded about a mile, when a number of armed men, springing
out from behind the hedges on either side, suddenly attacked the
conductors of the pack-horses, which they endeavoured to carry off. The
prisoners, taking advantage of the confusion, attempted to escape, and
there appeared every probability that some would succeed.

"Cut down the fellows, if they try to get off!" cried Voules, and the
other officers repeated the order.

At that moment the clattering sound of horses' hoofs coming along the
road was heard. A cry arose, "The dragoons are upon us!" The men who
had made the last daring attempt to recover the goods took to flight.
Two were captured by the soldiers, who went in pursuit, but the rest
effected their escape.

Mr Hilton gladly handed over the prisoners to the charge of the
military, while he accompanied Lord Reginald and Voules